Strip folder



March 28, 1950 Filed June 19, 1947 w. E. OLIVER 2,501,873

STRIP FOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet l I nvnior. Z WaZierE 032L092.

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W. E. OLIVER March 28, 1950 STRIP FOLDER 2 sheets sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1947 I nvenioz":

. WaZie 2 E 0%?{671 5% Ma -4% MQL I diii'ys Patented Mar. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE STRIP FOLDER Walter E. Oliver, Quincy, Mass.

Application June. 19, 1947, Serial No. 755,803

5 Claims.

This invention relates to paper feeding and controlling means adaptable more particularly for use in an autographic register of the type known as a refolder and effective to fold a strip in superposed zigzag folds. Autographie registers are commonly known and comprise means for advanci'ng a number of superposed strips, each strip comprising a series of segments connected end to end and each segment constituting one or more forms or tickets, to bring the tickets succes slvely to inscribing position over a platen where carbon paper may be interleaved therewith. In the next advancing step the inscribed tickets are moved oii the platen and torn off at the head of the series. more of the copies in the machine as a record and it is convenient to have these unsevered. As the strips are most conveniently supplied in the form of a so-called pack wherein they are folded back and forth in zigzag form, it is convenient to refold the retained strip or strips in the same manner. My invention provides a simple, accurate and sturdy mechanism for effecting this purpose.

My invention will be well understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a broken longitudinal section of an autographic register of the refolder type embodying my invention, the section being taken on the line |--l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section;

Figure 3 is an edge view as seen from the left in Fig. 1 and with a part broken away, and Fig. 4 a corresponding side elevation, the figures showing certain parts of the feeding mechanism in a different position from Fig. 1. The separator plate 22 and the paper strips are omitted in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4, showing the parts in a still different position;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lower feed roller as shown in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the record strip pack partially unfolded.

Referring toFig. 1 of the drawings, I have there shown a register embodying a casing in providing at the right hand side of the figure to the right of the partition l2 a storage compartment for the pack B of record strips which are to be inscribed. Referring to Fig. 8, such a pack consists of a series of record tickets or forms rand a corresponding series of copy tickets or forms ,0

folded zigzag along lines of fold corresponding to the junctions of the successive tickets and provided adjacent their heads with a pair of holes a which may serve as filing holes after the tickets have been used and which are utilized in connection with the feeding, positioning, and refolds It may be desired to retain one or ing of the. strip, as will more fully hereinafter appean, It will be understood that there may be any convenient number of strips, but two are sufficient to illustrate the principle involved. Also in the drawings other than Fig. 8 I have not attempted to differentiate between the several strips as it would considerably complicate the figures and where they are seen edgewise, I have shown a single line. only whether there is one or more than one strip involved.

The strips are led from the pack around a guide roll l4 over the platen l5 where they are interleaved with transversely extending carbon paper, not shown, and the tickets overlying the platen are, inscribed as desired. On a further feeding movement the inscribed tickets are discharged to the left in Fig. l and ordinarily all but the undermost are fed from the machine as indicated by the line 1' at the left of Fig. 1 and are torn off, as against the lower edge of the casing member l8, while the undermost strip is delivered to a storage compartment within the casing, here defined by the casing wall and the partition 20 wherein it may be refolded in its original zigzag form. To permit the strip r to be delivered to the exterior of the casing and the underlying strip to go to the storage compartment a separator plate 22 may be provided supported by a journalled. cross-bar 24 and adapted to extend in between the heads of the tickets superposed on the platen, and in originally threading up the machine, that is, preparing it for use, the ends of the strip or strips to be retained are placed beneath this separator and those which are to be fed out placed above the same. The'separator is suitably cut away to permit the passage of various parts of the strip-handling mechanism hereinafter described.

The invention is here shown as embodied in a machine wherein the feeding and positioning of the successive tickets over the platen is effected by the means such as is described in the patent to myself and Walter C. Shoup, No. 1,396,070, November 8, 1921.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, at the leading edge of, the platenv is a transverse shaft 26 adapted to be. rotated for a single revolution, herein by means of the hand crank 28 (Fig. 2)v to efiect a single cycle of the mechanism, suitable release able means, not shown, being provided to sto 3 having a width less than the diameter of holes a, and two discs are spaced apart a distance equal to the lateral spacing of the holes at the heads of the tickets.

In Fig. 1 the parts are shown in the position which they occupy after a ticket has been inscribed, and the handle 28 has been given a half turn. The inscribed tickets, which have already been fed partly to the left beyond the bite of the rolls 30 and 32, are gripped by them and fed forwardly thereby until the holes reach their point of contact. There is then nothing between the rolls to be gripped, since the active surface of disc 3c is not so wide as the hole, and although the rolls may continue to revolve until the handle stops, the feed of the strips ceases. A new set of tickets is then in position over platen it, and the inscribed set has been fed beyond the rolls to the left in Fig. 1. This feeding mechanism insures the proper alignment over the platen of the various tickets in the set as described in the patent referred to.

The previous paragraph describes the strips as being fed by the grip of the rolls thereon without explaining how the strips were started into motion. This is effected by a suitable auxiliary feeding device herein exemplified by two shoes it laterally projecting from the sides of each disc 30. With the parts in the position of Figs. 4 and 6 representing positions of rest between cycles, these extend from the 12 oclock position for a short distance clockwise. The outer surfaces of these shoes are of the same radius and curvature as the main body of the disc 30, and in effect they provide a circumferentially short extension of its gripping surface wider than the width of the holes a as seen in Fig. '1 wherein the outline of the hole is shown dotted. If the disc moves forward from the position of Fig. 4 or from the position of Fig. 6 to begin a new cycle the shoes 4!] grasp the sides of the hole and start the strips into motion.

The refolded copy strip at the left of Fig. 1 is folded on the creases which it had in the original pack P, and these folds should be made in the same direction. Successive tickets in the refolded. strip are positioned upside down rela tively to their original position in the pack, that is, the uppermost ticket in the pack P becomes the lowermost ticket in the refolded strip. If the head of a ticket lies pointing to the right viewing Fig. l in the original pack, it lies to the left in the refolded pack, and vice versa. To carry the head of a ticket to the left it is sufficient that it be fed to the left beneath the separator plate 22 roughly parallel to the inscribed ticket 1', which is passing out of the machine beyond plate [8, the head of the ticket pivoting on the foot of the preceding ticket the head of which has been positioned at the right-hand end of the storage compartment for the refolded strip so that, from head to foot, the preceding ticket extends from right to left (see Fig. 4). This movement starts with the parts in the position of Figs. 3 and 4 as will hereinafter be explained. To carry the head of a ticket to the right, it is engaged selectively by suitable mechanism and carried partially around disc 30 and released adjacent the partition 2!! at the righthand portion of the compartment in which the refolded strip is received, the head of the ticket pivoting on the foot of the preceding ticket, the headof which has been positioned at the lefthand" end' of the storage compartment so that,

4 from head to foot, the preceding ticket extends from left to right (see Fig. 6).

To control the refolding movements of the strip c there is provided for each disc 30 a pair of members 42 mounted on the sides thereof, the members being supported by cross-pins 44, which pass loosely through clearance openings 36 in the disc, so that the members may slide radially of the disc and rock in planes parallel thereto. These members have projecting radially therefrom fingers 48 which, when the members are released to springs 5|], are thrust outwardly beyond the periphery of the disc. As best seen in Fig. 7, the proportion of the parts is such that if the fingers are opposite a hole a in the strip, they will enter the same under the action of springs 50 unless restrained.

As the parts move adjacent the position of Figs. 3 and 4, an unbroken surface of roll 32 opposes the fingers, and prevents them from moving outwardly beyond the periphery of the disc 3%). If, however, the parts have the position of Figs. 5 and 6, slots 52 in roll 32 come opposite the fingers and the latter are free to enter the slots so far as control by roll 32 is concerned. If an unbroken thickness of paper overlies the fingers, they will remain depressed or at most slightly deflect the paper without taking hold. If, however, fingers 48, slots 52, and holes a are all in conjunction, the fingers will rise into the holes to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. If new the rolls start into motion again counter-clockwise from the position of Fig. 6, the fingers will engage the leading edges of the holes. Their forwardly facing edges may be slightly undercut, as shown, to facilitate the action. As seen in the figures the mounting of the members 42 and the arrangement of the spring is such as to tend to tilt the fingers 48 forward in the direction of rotation securely to engage the edges of the holes, yet with provision for yielding when it is desired to release the paper from the fingers as hereinafter explained. The head of the ticket in which these holes are cut is then carried along by these fingers along the pitch line of the disc 3! toward the 6 oclock position and toward the partition 20 of Fig. 1. Near the lower part of the periphery of disc 38, there is provided suitable stripper in the form of a transverse plate 54, having notches to pass the edge of the disc, the fingers 48, and the shoes 40, the projecting portions between the notches extending inwardly past the pitch line of the discs 38 to engage the paper and to release it from the fingers, this occurring substantially in the '7 oclock position in the drawing, the fingers moving on to the 6 oclock position of Fig. 1 and dropping the head of the tickets 0 in the righthand portion of the receiving compartment adjacent partition 20 as illustrated in that figure. In the releasing action the fingers are free to rock rearwardly against the action of springs 50 to facilitate disengagement of the tickets therefrom.

To provide for the proper operation so that the holes in successive tickets pass the bite of the-feeding rolls in the positions of Figs. 4 and 6 respectively, the gears 36 and 38 ar so related that for any two revolutions of disc 30, the roll 32 makes an odd number of revolutions. Otherwise expressed, in the specific examples shown, the ratio is 1 to 4.5. Each cycle of movement corresponding to the feeding off from the platen it of one set of inscribed tickets occurs during one revolution of the disc 30. On successive cycles,

successive holes move to the 12 oclock position relative to disc 30, but roll 32 on successive cycles has the positions of Figs. 4 and 6 respectively. Therefore the slots 52 and the fingers 48 come into conjunction with alternate holes which is as it should be to permit the heads of every other ticket to be advanced toward the left in Fig. 1 while the intermediate tickets have their heads carried around by roll 30 toward the right into a position adjacent partition 20.

Since the rolls move at the same surface speed it follows that their pitch circumferences are in inverse ratio to their angular speeds as above set forth,

As is indicated by the first part of this specification, refolding mechanisms for autographic registers or like machines have been hitherto proposed. In some pins have been provided for entering the holes in alternate tickets. Relatively complicated and delicate mechanisms involving controlling cams and linkages have been used, and sometimes an extra hole in alternate tickets was required for functioning of the mechanisms. Here no such extra hole is necessary, the pack being of conventional form, and by virtue of the organization of the mechanism utilizing as a part thereof the feed mechanism proper, the construction is exceptionally simple and rugged.

I have described the use of two discs 30 and corresponding cooperating rolls 32. Such a construction is usual in autographic registers. Two discs provide an even traction on the strips and prevent them from getting out of line. Any number of feeding couples could be provided, and in case of very narrow strips, a single centrally disposing couplemight be sufilcient. The operation is essentially the same in all cases. In the annexed claims I have, for simplicity, referred to but a single couple.

I claim:

1. In a machine wherein tickets of superposed series connected in strip form are successively advanced, which tickets have homologously located holes therein, and the tickets of one strip are discharged from the machine for separation and removal and those of another are diverted to be refolded in zigzag, a pair of rolls on opposite sides of the strips which turn at the same surface speed as the advancing strips and engage them along the longitudinal line of successive holes, a spring-pressed finger on the lower roll tending to move outwardly beyond its periphery, the upper roll having an opposed surface with a circumferentially restricted portion cut away to permit the projection of the finger through a hole when finger, hole, and cut-away portion are in conjunction, the ratio of the circumference of one roll to that of the other being that of two to a larger odd number and a stripper adjacent the lower roll remote from its point of contact with the upper roll.

2. In a machine wherein tickets of superposed series connected in strip form are successively advanced, which tickets have homologously located holes therein, and the tickets of one strip are discharged from the machine for separation andremoval and those of another are diverted to be refolded in zigzag, a pair of rolls on opposite sides of the strips the lower one having a narrow tread of less width than the hole, the rolls being geared together to move at the same surface speed, means for rotating one through a cycle which advances a point in its periphery for a distance at least equal to a ticket length whereby frictionally to feed a set of tickets, the feed being interrupted when the tread comes under a hole, the lower roll having a spring-pressed finger tending to move outwardly beyond said tread the upper roll having an opposed surface with a circumferentially restricted portion cut away to permit the projection of the finger through a hole when finger, hole, and cut-away portion are in conjunction, the ratio of the circumference of the upper roll to that of the lower bein that of two to a larger odd number and a stripper adjacent the lower roll remote from its point of contact with the upper roll.

3. A control mechanism for apertured strips comprising a roll couple, a finger carried by one roll and normally tending to be extended beyond the periphery thereof, the companion roll having a recess of limited circumferential extent to receive the finger in such extended position when in conjunction therewith, the rolls having circumferences related in the ratio of two to a larger odd number being geared together to rotate at the same surface speed.

4. A feeding and control mechanism for apertured strip comprising a pair of feed rolls, one

, having a body in the form of a narrow disc and a lateral extension of its periphery of short circumferential extent, a member slidably mounted on a side of the disc terminating outwardly in a finger which alternatively may lie inwardly or outwardly of the disc periphery at a point adjacent to said extension, means tending to move it to the latter position, the cooperating roll being at least as wide as the extended portion of the disc and being cut away for a portion only of its circumferenc in the plane of said finger to pass the latter in its outward position when the cut-away portion is in conjunction therewith, the rolls having circumferences related in the ratio of two to a larger odd number being geared together to rotate at the same surface speed.

5. A feeding and control mechanism for apertured strip comprising a pair of feed rolls, one having a body in the form of a narrow disc and a lateral extension of its periphery of short circumferential extent, a member rockably and slidably mounted on a side of the disc terminating outwardly in a finger which alternatively may lie inwardly or outwardly of the disc periphery at a point adjacent to said extension, a spring tending to move the finger outwardly and rock it forwardly in the direction of forward rotation, the cooperating roll being at least as wide as the extended portion of the disc and being cut away for a portion only of its circumference in the plane of said finger to pass the latter in its outward position when the cut-away portion is in conjunction therewith, the rolls having circumferences related in the ratio of two to a larger odd number being geared together to rotate at the same surface speed.

WALTER E. OLIVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES- PATENTS Number Name Date 1,674,016 MacDonald June 19, 1928 1,698,401 Hagemann Jan. 8, 1929 1,722,290 Hagemann July 30, 1929 1,724,120 Wiswall Aug. 13, 1929 1,846,731 Jensen Feb. 23, 1932 2,119,232 Johnston May 31, 1938 

